Billy Graham’s Legacy Continues Through ‘God’s Not Dead’

Duncan Phillips, playing here at the BGEA Baltic Youth Festival in Riga, Latvia, and the Newsboys are part of the 'God's Not Dead' movie, released today nationwide.

For Duncan Phillips, God’s Not Dead is bigger than he initially imagined.

This latest project from Pure Flix is about a college freshman tasked with defending his Christian faith. The film also weaves together multiple stories of faith and doubt, and culminates into a powerful call to action by the conclusion of the movie.

As the percussionist for the Newsboys, Phillips and his three other band mates were asked to be a part of the film, which opens today. The scene for the culmination of God’s Not Dead is set at a Newsboys concert.

“It is a really good movie,” Phillips, the animated drummer, said. “It is well-acted, well-produced, and we are stoked to be a part of it.

“We learned our lines and got ready to do our parts when the time came. We were doing a show in Texas, which is when they showed up to do the filming,” he added. “When we got there, we saw about 50 crew people with all these cameras and equipment, and then I realized: this is the real deal.”

The movie title was inspired by one of their most popular songs—with the same title—released in 2011.

“The song was written by a good friend of ours. We saw a diamond in the rough: the lyrics are fantastic and the melody is great. We knew this was something worth working on,” Phillips explained. “Still, to this day, probably because of the movie, it still outsells anything we have ever released.”

He also believes that the song and the movie are continuations of Billy Graham’s legacy.

In 1959, Billy Graham traveled to Phillips’ native Australia for one of the more memorable evangelistic Crusades. Phillips’ parents—very young Christians at the time—attended the Crusade.

“It was a real pivotal point in the spiritual lives of my mom and dad. It had a massive impact on them,” he said. “They have told me how that Crusade really galvanized their faith. It was the first time they had ever seen a mass of people gathered together under the banner of Christ.

“So, the wonderful story here is that because Billy Graham was used to ignite their faith, and I had the privilege of growing up under that mantle of faith. If it had not been for Billy Graham, I might not have been in the Newsboys, the song might not have been recorded, and thus the movie may not have been made. It’s all really crazy to think about.”

Phillips also calls it “an absolute honor and privilege” to have come alongside the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in other ways: The Newsboys’ song We Believe is the first track on the My Hope CD, Songs Inspired by the Message and Mission of Billy Graham. The band has also joined forces with BGEA to share the Gospel, as they played at recent Festivals in Lithuania, Latvia and Rochester, N.Y., along with the Will Graham Jersey Shore Celebration.

Phillips wants to see God’s Not Dead used in the lives of the next generation, much like Billy Graham’s message was used to stir the hearts of his parents.

“Our youth get hit with things like this kid does in the movie,” he said. “A time will come where each person who calls himself or herself a Christian will have to defend the faith. We should all be equipped to do that.

“My hope is that people will go to see this movie, and that they will bring their friends along. Most importantly, I hope this movie will be used to galvanize their faith. Just like Billy Graham was used with my parents—and ultimately, with me.”

Movie Listings: To find out where God’s Not Dead is playing near you, click here.

12 Comments

I have not seen the movie yet. Many of my church family have been and have come away ‘Praising God’, Giving Glory to our Savior Jesus Christ.’ So, I must see this movie, soon. As for the BGEA, you are all the best. God is getting to people through your association. I’m a grandma of four. They need the Word of God in their lives. My son and his wife need God badly. I’ve always looked to Rev. Billy Graham for the ‘Truth of the Gospel’, God has a true man of complete Faith in Rev. Billy Graham. God Bless him and I pray for his health.